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Crystal Palace v West Ham preview

Date published: Monday 24th August 2015 1:17

Nathaniel Clyne could return to the Crystal Palace squad.
The young right-back, Palace’s player of the year last season, has yet to figure this term after suffering a broken foot in a friendly at Bournemouth over the summer but is now training again.
Boss Dougie Freedman has no new injury concerns following Tuesday night’s 3-1 derby win at Brighton but is still without left-back Lee Hills (knee) and midfield duo Kagisho Dikgacoi (hamstring) and Owen Garvan (hip).
Freedman could name an unchanged side although midfielder Darren Ambrose is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after coming on as a substitute at the Amex Stadium and scoring Palace’s crucial second goal.
West Ham will check on Joey O’Brien, Matt Taylor and Winston Reid ahead of the trip.
Right-back O’Brien has a hamstring issue, midfielder Taylor missed Tuesday’s defeat by Ipswich with a calf problem and centre-half Reid also sat out with a knock.
Boss Sam Allardyce is set to revert to playing Carlton Cole as a lone striker after switching to 4-4-2 against Ipswich, meaning Sam Baldock will be back on the bench.
But Allardyce has ruled out major changes despite their midweek setback.
Striker Frederic Piquionne is back in contention after a three-match ban and recent signing Papa Bouba Diop is still awaiting his debut after joining as a free agent.
Winger Gary O’Neil (ankle) is a long-term absentee.